15–11 in the 2024 Atlanta Braves prospect rankings
The scouting profiles for positions 15 through 11 on the list are shown below, with Darius Vines—who now contributes to MLB—leading the way.
With young players being promoted and major level roster upgrades occurring often, the Atlanta Braves’ farm system is generally seen as having dropped into the lowest third of baseball in terms of both quantity and quality.
However, at Braves Today, we’re confident in Atlanta’s minor league potential as well as the organization’s standing and history of nurturing that talent.
We have revised our farm system rankings for the 2024 season. Featured on the list are our scouting profiles for positions 15 through 11, led by Darius Vines, who has already made an MLB contribution.
Prospect eligibility is determined by the following criteria: less than 50 innings pitched, 45 days spent on the MLB roster, or 130 at-bats.
15: Garrett Baumann, RHP
Admission to the group: 2023
Round 4 of the MLB Draft (Prep)
Augusta): 1H, 1ER, 2 BB, 1K, 2 IP
Scouting report: At 6’8 and 245 pounds, Baumann is a physical monster. His fastball velocity, which reached 97 mph in his brief professional debut, reflects that bulk. Although it has an unusual shape and enters the zone with more horizontal movement than vertical, it is nevertheless a strong offering that has the ability to miss bats. He tosses a changeup and a slider, both of which are in the low-80s velocity range. At this point, the changeup is more effective than the erratic slider.
Although he had his single post-draft appearance at Single-A Augusta rather than at the complex, Atlanta clearly feels that the product is good enough to be competitive right away. If he comes out firing to begin 2024, I’m curious to see how quickly he moves through the system.
14: Darius Vines, RHP
Admission to the group: 2019
MLB Draft: Bakersfield, California State, Round 7
3-2, 2.36 ERA in 34.1 IP with 28 Ks (7.3 K/9) to 13 BBs (3.4 BB/9) and 5 HRs (1.3 HR/9) in 6 AAA games (5 starts) in 2023.
1-0, 3.98 ERA in 20.1 IP with 14 Ks (6.2 K/9), 7 BBs (3.1 BB/9) and 3 HRs (1.3 HR/9) in 5 MLB games (2 starts).
Scouting report: Like Allan Winans, Vines is from Bakersfield, California, and he also performed a similar position as a spot starter for Atlanta in the closing innings. In his MLB debut, Vines surprised many by coming into Coors Field in Colorado and winning with the Rockies down to two runs on four hits in six innings. Despite having a mediocre fastball velocity of just 90 mph, it plays effectively up in the strike zone because of its above-average 17 inches of IVB. He also uses a cutter, a pitch he added in the 2023 season, and a strong low-80s changeup. Even though it is a definite fourth pitch, he also has a slider that produces respectable outcomes.
Although his sequencing and exceptional control combine to make it good enough to turn a lineup once or twice and be useful as a spot starter or long reliever (which he did three times in the majors), it’s not a package that will overwhelm many batters.
Leave a Reply